Artemis II!

rtemis II screenshots!

The Integrity capsule on the Orion spacecraft was home to four astronauts during the Artemis II mission. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen (go, Canada, go!) travelled further than any human has gone before (yet!) and were the first humans to fly past the Moon in over 50 years. Their mission incorporated many scientific studies, and they shared their journey with us, with humour, compassion, enthusiasm, and eloquence.

I kept thinking of all the many people who worked on every aspect of this mission, from the artists who designed patches, to those who created Rise (including the young designer!), to the engineers, mathematicians, software designers, trainers, and more and more (even divers!), from at least three different national space agencies (among other public and private entities). The entire mission was an example of the wonderful, beautiful endeavours humans can achieve when working together and helping each other.

These screenshots aren't much in the way of photos (visit the NASA image gallery!) but they're a placeholder to remind me of the beauty of humanity. And of Earth and the Moon. I love the images of Earth seen from the far side of the Moon, because the Moon looks so much like what it is, a rock. As if we could just reach out a hand and directly touch its surface. Then there's our Earth, with its atmosphere, and layers of air, and its clouds and waters and rainbows, so precious. Moon joy!

I also have a screenshot from the spontaneous live event by the Cryptid Factor, held during the launch!